U.S. Men's Sitting Team Beaten by Brazil

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 14, 2011) – The U.S. Men’s Sitting Volleyball Team couldn’t find the magic it had the previous night in its win over Egypt and lost a quarterfinal match to Brazil, 25-16, 25-21, 25-12 at the 2011 Continental Cup in Kettering, England.

The U.S. Men’s Sitting Team (3-2) will face China on Friday in the bracket for fifth through eighth place. The U.S. beat China in pool play, 15-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-20.

The winner of the match between the United States and China will play the winner of the match between Ukraine and Great Britain for fifth place.

James Stuck (New Kensington, Pa./Edmond, Okla.) led the United States with 10 points on eight kills (0.333 hitting efficiency) and two blocks. Team Captain Brent Rasmussen (Omaha, Neb.) tallied eight points on eight kills.

Eric Duda (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Edmond, Okla.) added six points on four kills, one block and one ace. J.Dee Marinko (Newcastle, Okla.) totaled three points on two kills and one ace. Roderick Green scored one point with a block.

The team spent the morning watching video of Brazil and was confident of its game plan. Yet Brazil managed to apply constant pressure on the United States throughout the match.

U.S. Head Coach Edgar Miraku (Elbasan, Albania/Edmond, Okla.) remained optimistic about his team’s performance.

“Any time we have an opportunity to play Brazil, it is a very important match for us considering that they are in our zone,” Miraku said. “Although the team did not play at its best throughout the match, there were still several good runs that we did make and will help us in our preparations for Parapan Ams.”

The U.S. and Brazil are expected to compete at the Parapan American Games in November. The winning team will qualify for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.